Dr. Gao received her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy from University of Kansas with major in Chemistry and Pharmacy. She was awarded as 2014 Women in Science Prize, as the Highest Honor from Control Release Society (one recipient annually). She previously held key positions including Director of Product Development, Director of Intellectual Property Strategy, and Director of Innovation Strategy at renowned pharmaceutical companies such as Merck, Abbott Lab, Pfizer, and AbbVie for more than 25 years. She Led R&D and commercialization teams to develop successful strategies for new drug products. Now Dr. Gao is responsible for corporate IP strategy, formulation development and international business development at OPL.